Crave Review 2026: Plans, Content and Is It Worth It?

In this Crave review for 2026, the short answer is: Crave is worth it if you want HBO series and films in Canada, because that is where they live. It is less essential if you mainly watch live sports or network TV, which Crave only partly covers. The ad-supported plans are the value pick for most households, while the ad-free Premium tier makes sense for heavy viewers.

Below we look at the plans, the content, the viewing experience and how Crave fits into a Canadian cord-cutting setup. All prices are in Canadian dollars and approximate, so check crave.ca for the current figures.

What Crave is

Crave is Bell Media’s subscription streaming service. It is the Canadian home of HBO and HBO Max originals, and it also carries a large library of movies, series and CTV content. Bell describes the Standard With Ads tier as including the full HBO library, movies, shows, live events, sports, news and the CTV catalogue.

Crave is available across Canada in English, with French content as well, on mobile, web, smart TVs and the main streaming devices.

Crave plans and prices in 2026

Crave has reorganized its tiers several times, so names shift. At the time of writing, the structure looks like this:

Promotions are common. In October 2026, for example, Crave ran a limited promo code that cut Standard With Ads to $5.99 a month for two months for eligible customers. If you are not in a hurry, waiting for a promo or a bundle can save real money.

What you actually get to watch

HBO and HBO Max originals

This is the core reason to subscribe. New HBO series and the back catalogue stream on Crave in Canada rather than on a separate HBO Max app. If you follow HBO dramas week to week, there is no legal Canadian substitute.

Movies and series

Crave carries a mix of recent theatrical films, licensed series and Canadian originals. The library rotates, so a title you want may arrive or leave on a schedule set by licensing deals.

CTV content and live events

Crave also includes CTV programming on demand and some live events and news. It is not a full live TV service, though. You will not get TSN or the full CTV live feed the way a cable package delivers it.

Pros and cons

What Crave does well

• The only Canadian home for HBO series and films.
• An affordable ad-supported tier that keeps the full HBO library.
• Frequent promos and bundle deals through Bell.
• Wide device support, including smart TVs and major streaming boxes.

Where it falls short

• Plan names and prices change often, which makes comparison confusing.
• Limited live TV, so it does not replace cable on its own.
• Ad-free viewing costs noticeably more than the base tier.
• No live sports package; for that you still need TSN+, Sportsnet+ or similar.

Crave vs other streamers in Canada

Crave is often compared with Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+, but each one has a different job. The table below sums up where each fits in a Canadian household.

If you can only afford one premium service, choose based on the shows you already follow, not on catalogue size. A smaller library with your favourite series is better value than a huge one you scroll through without watching.

How Crave fits a cord-cutting setup

Crave works best as one layer in a mix. A common Canadian setup looks like this:

1. An antenna or free apps for local news and network shows.
2. Crave for HBO and premium series.
3. One sports service matched to your teams.
4. A general streamer (Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+) if you want a deeper on-demand catalogue.

Rotating subscriptions is a smart habit. Many households subscribe to Crave for the months a big HBO series is running, then pause. For more ideas on building a lean setup, see our cord cutting guide for 2026.

Some viewers prefer one app with live channels, movies and series in a single subscription. Our own plan is 12 months for $89 (US dollars), and you can compare what it includes in the IPTV Journal pricing section. Whatever you choose, check that the provider is licensed; our guide to IPTV legality in Canada explains the basics.

Devices and viewing experience

Crave apps are available on iOS and Android, web browsers, major smart TV platforms, Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku and Google TV devices. The interface is straightforward, with profiles and downloads on mobile.

If your TV is older, a streaming stick is the cheapest fix. Our guide to streaming devices for non-smart TVs walks through the options.

Who should subscribe to Crave in 2026?

Subscribe if HBO shows are on your must-watch list, if you get Crave bundled with Bell at little or no extra cost, or if you can grab a promo price. Skip it, or subscribe only seasonally, if you mainly watch live sports, local news or reality TV, which other services cover better and more cheaply.

FAQ

Is HBO Max available in Canada?

HBO content in Canada streams through Crave rather than a separate HBO Max app. If you want new HBO series in Canada, Crave is the legal route.

Does Crave have a free trial?

Crave’s trial offers change over time and are not always available. Promo prices, such as discounted first months, are more common, so check crave.ca for current offers before subscribing.

How many screens can watch Crave at once?

The Standard With Ads plan allows two concurrent streams at up to 1080p, according to coverage of the current tiers. Higher ad-free tiers may allow more, so check the plan details on Crave’s site.

Is Crave included with Bell Fibe TV?

Bell includes Crave Standard With Ads with new Fibe TV bundles at the time of writing. Existing customers may be able to add it or upgrade to Crave Premium for an extra monthly fee.

Does Crave include live sports?

Crave is not a sports service. Live sports from Bell Media are on TSN and the TSN+ streaming subscription, which are sold separately.

Part of our guides: Canada streaming guide